channing

So ya, it’s been a while since I last updated. I’ll organize by color like my brother, due to my current lack of keeping you all informed.
Legend:
Family
School
Work
Chi-KO
Everything Else

Family
The family is doing well. We went on our annual camping trip (pictures will be coming later on this week or next) this past Memorial Day weekend. The weather was a tad too hot for my liking. Regardless of that however it’s always just a good time to chill with family and friends. We lay back and relax, no worries. I played a little softball and bachiball, but other then that just sat around and enjoyed the company.

School
School is going … well it’s going. I’m still on schedule to graduate this December. I’m currently petitioning for an overload for the summer term, so we’ll see if that goes through. Also I’m finishing up an Incomplete for one of my classes. I had to take about a month off of school to train for work. By Gad’s grace I passed 3 of the 4 classes and in the last one my prof. gave me until the end of summer to finish the work needed. I’m already finished with a little more then half, so that’s good.

Work
Work has been good. I’m really enjoying this position. People ask if travelling gets old or was this new job worth the stress. I can tell you at this point, it’s good. Travelling has been fun for me. I’m a guy who just enjoys driving. I get to drive all these different cars (none that I personally would buy, but having a radio and AC is a nice thing ), fly to different places and keep all the perks like miles and points. I’m learning a lot but still have a tons to learn. I’m going out to LA at the end of June for more training…so if you’re out there let’s hooks up!

Chi-KO
If you didn’t know, Dan and I are co-directing Chi-KO again this year. This will be our 4th year together and I’m looking forward to it, as usual. Speaker isn’t secure yet, as well as all the leaders. But I’m confident the God will provide as He has every year. I’ll be updating more later. If you’re a camper this year, don’t bother to ask for cabin themes, because like every year I will not budge

Everything Else
Hrm…what else can I talk about. Wedding season is almost half over, but for me they’re just beginning. I’ll be in LA at the end of June for Nicole’s sister, Kim’s wedding. Two weeks later in Dallas for her cousin. I’m going to my cousin’s reception near Detroit at the end of July. Finally headed out to Pheonix Thanksgiving weekend for Nicole’s brother Chris’ wedding. Good times!
My old youth pastor was ordained last weekend! It was a blessing for me just to see him again, knowing the paths he’s been on and the different struggles that he’s faced. He continued to move forward in God’s soverignty and soon will be headed to Japan to serve as an associate pastor.

I think that’s all for now. Peace

~Dru

I remember my first trip out to Tucson to visit Nicole. We drove up to Phoenix for church that Sunday. I was so tired after, then I went to sleep on the floor in Nicole’s parents house and woke up to an abyssinian purring, walking back and forth rubbing its body against my shaved head. I would imagine that it’s like a huge brush, brushing its hair. Anyway that was my first memory if Tigger over 3 years ago. Now I’m not one who typically gets attached to animals. But Tigger was different, I can describe her as the intellect or persona of a cat, but seemed to have the loyalty of a dog. She wasn’t stuck up or demanded to be treated as a queen, like most cats I know. Very laid back in her attitude. Every time I’d visit she’d get a treat when I cooked breakfast. Usually some ham or bacon

She was part of the Mah family. She had her own stocking for Christmas, where Nicole’s gift mysteriously ended up She was just nice to have around the house. A very beautful cat too. I told Nicole when we get a house, we can get an abyssinian and maybe a shiba inu. Anyway, I’m gonna miss Tiggie. I know I said she’s only a cat once, but still…

Small Gallery of Picture that I had of her.

~Dru

So for the past 2 weeks I’ve been working from home. It’s been a slow travel time for me, only because I requested to stay around here for finals. Finals…gosh I’ve never had my butt kicked like this before. I can say for maybe the first time in life, I felt stressed out. At UIUC, I could argue that I didn’t really care, but now that I do … yikes But at this point I have 3 down and 1 to go, tomorrow. Am I worried, a little. I missed a good month worth of class because of training for work, and the last thing I want to do is repeat the semester, but I think that I did well enough to pass. We’ll soon see. I’m still trying to finish up by December! So I’m going to be going crazy for another 8 months (provided there are no setbacks).

My take on this new job is better sweet at the moment. I mean school is a definite minus, however the travelling is great. I really enjoy going places. People say it’ll get old and it probably will at some point, but I’m enjoying it now so that’s what matters. I’ve been to:
L.A. - In the 2 weeks that I was there I chilled with my west coast cousins, helped Nicole’s future brother in-law and sister move into their new place (which is nice), had a meal with family friends and ate out a LOT. Also got a new pair of shoes (see a couple of posts down). People I saw in order of appearace: Kyle, Uncle Kay, Kimme, Eddie, Franklin, Uncle Tom, Auntie Sue, Cynthia, Auntie Mary Jane, Yvette, Kaya, Christel, Denny, Shauna and Ryan.
Montvale, NJ - Spend the week out here. It was beautiful, a lot of nature around. I enjoyed it so much I spent 2 hours just driving around (hehe, I got lost). Did see anyone, but met tons of people.Duke Uni. - I was out at Duke setting up an advanced system for the school. They were demoing it for a possible future sale. The campus is gorgeous and hopefully I’ll visit Nicole when she heads out there for school in the fall. Again didn’t see anyone here, I did see a lot of the LaCrosse team on TV though Did a little shopping out here, got a couple shirts and some Desiel sunglasses that no one likes

And for the past 2 weeks I’ve been travelling to local places and working from home. I do miss the office atmosphere and talking with people. So that’s a setback. However, I get to wake up, literally right before I start working. I can see Nicole more. She comes over when she works at 3 to eat breakfast and lunch with me…all the other times she’s sleeping. I don’t have to waste time travelling to work in this horrid Chicago traffic (nothing like LA though, let me tell you). I can cook for the family (this only occured once so far, but when finals are over, I’ll cook more).

So ya, that’s my update for now. I’m putting a couple pics up today to so you can check those out. I’ll post the link when I get them up and running. Thanks for reading.

~Dru

EDIT: 2 New Galleries